Cinema in all its glory has witnessed a renaissance in the past five to six years. This revolution is not only attributed to a change in terms of storytelling or the emergence of streaming platforms but also the consumer perception towards movies in vernacular languages.
We have come a long way from compartmentalising films as Bollywood or Tollywood to becoming one Indian film industry.
Today, India has an Oscar for the Best Original Song – ‘Naatu Naatu’ and our hearts swell with pride. The song has transcended the North vs South debate and established the fact that the world is a global village that appreciates cross-border art and artists.
Vishal Mishra who crooned the Hindi version ‘Nacho Nacho’ of the song said, “It’s absolutely no north and south and I never believed it. I think people who are enlightened and awakened will never believe this. We just speak different languages. We are Indians and make Indian films. Even in the song, when it is about to start, he says, ‘Do you know Desi nach?’ It’s an Indian feeling and a person like me from Uttar Pradesh, can connect with it”.
This made me realise that this widened horizon of Indianness has also seeped into my household, where our film knowledge was limited to Hindi movies till 2019.
During the lockdown, as my penchant for varied cinema grew, I realised the sheer brilliance of colloquial-language films that I had missed. And since then I have consumed a ridiculous amount of content from the Indian heartland in Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam and Kannada.
While all of them bolstered my interest, I found myself veering towards Malayalam movies the most. Their attempt at genre-bending and heart-wrenching projects has consistently impressed me. Here are the picks that wrung the strings of my heart and may leave an impact on you too:
1. Hridayam
Hridayam is a coming-of-age story that will certainly remind you of William Shakespeare’s poem Seven Ages from school. Arun (Pranav Mohanlal), a first-year engineering student, falls in love with Darshana (Darshana Rajendran), another student from his college.
How he navigates the bumpy ride from teenage to fatherhood forms the basic premise of the story. From bullying to finding one’s inner drive, the movie perfectly encapsulates all the internal conflicts of a young adult.
The actors have impeccably aped in their roles and despite the long running time, it does not become a tedious watch. The soundtrack adds layers to the emotional journey it takes us through, my favourite song being ‘Darshana’ sung beautifully by Darshana Rajendran herself. I would highly recommend it for a feel-good breezy watch to reminisce about campus days.
2. #Home
While technology was conceived for speedy, effective communication, overconsumption and addiction have only resulted in disconnectedness from our loved ones.
Directed by Rojin Thomas #Home rings this alarm for the viewers. The movie is so relatable and authentic that it is almost painful. The story revolves around a father trying to bridge the generational gap between him and his sons that smartphones have created.
In his earnest attempt, he learns and unlearns old habits, but all his kids do is take him for granted. The family of two sons, Oliver Twist (Indrans), Kutiyamma (Manju Pillai), and a grandfather all live under the same roof but seem to have lost their kids to technology and ambition.
A must-watch, the movie will definitely make us guilty about our ignorance and appreciate our parents more.
3. The Great Indian Kitchen
A scathing attack on patriarchy, the movie sheds light on subtle and not-so-subtle misogyny that wreaks havoc in the lives of Indian women and mostly starts with the kitchen.
The first thirty minutes set the tone of the film with the same cooking, cleaning and drainage frames played in monotone. Soon you begin to realise what is excruciating to watch is a reality of most married Indian women – living in abject domesticity and coerced to always serve, suppressing their own desires.
It also highlights the importance of consent and freedom in a relationship. While the title may be interpreted in many ways, I sense a bit of satire in it. The adjective ‘great’ could be a juxtaposition of oppression in traditional households. The last scene will leave you with goosebumps and a lot to reflect on society.
4. Jallikattu
I remember watching this one during the 2020 lockdown and was baffled towards the end. I couldn’t stop thinking about the sheer brilliance in cinematography and storytelling for days.
A thought-provoking plot about villagers who break all hell loose when a bull goes astray, it explores the primal nature of humans. We turn into voracious animals when greed takes over. India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 93rd Academy Awards is one of the finest films made to date.
5. Kurup
Don but make it sharper and more gripping? You have Kurup, starring heartthrob Dulquer Salman and the gorgeous Shobhita Dhulipala. The movie is based on the real-life story of Sukumara Kurup, a notorious criminal who allegedly faked his own death in 1984.
It keeps you on the edge as the protagonist keeps conspiring new ways to mask his crime. Catch it before its second instalment The Rise of Alexander releases.
While these movies left an indelible impact on me long after the credits were rolled, it would be interesting to know your take. Don’t forget to leave a comment down below as to how you felt about my list.